Gulf Breeze, Fla. - Gulf Islands National Seashore is coordinating with state and local governments to incorporate their guidance into operational decisions for the Seashore and is announcing additional modifications to operations effective immediately. Where it is possible to adhere to the latest guidance, the following remain open at this time:
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All park waters (82% of the park)
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The Naval Live Oaks Area Bayside (north of Hwy. 98)
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Petit Bois, West Petit Bois, and Horn islands, as well as the NPS-owned portions of Cat Island
The following have been cancelled parkwide:
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All ranger led programs have been cancelled
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Special Use permits for activities have been cancelled
The following are closed in Florida (updates in bold):
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Processing of all Crab Island Commercial Use Authorizations are suspended
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The Naval Live Oaks Area Soundside (south of Hwy. 98) as of 5:00 pm on March 22
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The Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Fort Pickens, and Perdido Key areas as of 5 p.m. March 20
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The Fort Pickens Campground, campers must depart by 11 a.m. March 21
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Hwy. 399 between Pensacola Beach and Navarre Beach on the evening of March 20
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The Fort Barrancas Area including the forts and visitor center
The following are closed in Mississippi (updates in bold):
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The Davis Bayou Area and associated facilities
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Park Road remains open to VFW Road, Gollott Road, Quave Road and Eagle Point Road to serve adjacent subdivisions
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Ship Island and associated facilities
Concession Operations:
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Pensacola Bay Cruises & have suspended operations.
The health and safety of our visitors, employees, volunteers, and partners at Gulf Islands National Seashore is our number one priority. The National Park Service (NPS) is working with the federal, state, and local authorities to closely monitor the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) situation. We will notify the public when we resume full operations and provide updates on our website and social media channels.
The NPS urges visitors to do their part when visiting a park and to follow CDC guidance to prevent the spread of infectious diseases by maintaining a safe distance between yourself and other groups; washing your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds; avoiding touching your eyes, nose, and mouth; covering your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze; and most importantly, staying home if you feel sick.
For high-risk populations, such as the elderly and people with underlying conditions, we ask that they take extra caution and follow CDC guidance for those at higher risk of serious illness.
Updates about NPS operations will be posted on www.nps.gov/coronavirus. Please check with individual parks for specific details about park operations. All Gulf Islands National Seashore status updates will be posted online at https://www.nps.gov/guis/planyourvisit/tempclosures.htm, www.Facebook.com/GulfIslandsNPS, and www.Twitter.com/GulfIslandsNPS.
About Gulf Islands National Seashore: Created in 1971, the national seashore stretches 160 miles along the northern coast of the Gulf of Mexico in Florida and Mississippi, and includes barrier islands, maritime forests, historic forts, bayous, and marine habitat. Visit us at www.nps.gov/guis, on Facebook www.facebook.com/GulfIslandsNPS, Twitter www.twitter.com/GulfIslandsNPS, Instagram www.Instagram.com/GulfIslandsNPS.
About the National Park Service: More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America's 419 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Visit us at www.nps.gov, on Facebook www.facebook.com/nationalparkservice and Twitter www.twitter.com/natlparkservice.
-NPS-
Tags: news news release press press release gulf islands national seashore covid-19 coronavirus
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
